If you’re looking for great, locally crafted wares, check out Janet’s Needle Felting. I find her work mind blowing. The skill she uses and detail she captures delight me no end.
Here’s but one sample. Fine example of local artistry, methinks.
Category: Seattle and Beyond
Video: How much does it really cost to live in a city like Seattle?
PBS NewsHour had an interesting spot on what it costs to live in Seattle. Considers such issues as raising the minimum wage; it’s well worth your time (< 9 minutes).
The Teriyaki Date – The Oatmeal
As a Seattleite, teriyaki delights me. I’ve been on dates, love teriyaki, been on dates and eaten teriyaki, but have never experienced such psychosis..thank goodness.
The Oatmeal: The Teriyaki Date
Go Seahawks!
Check out @Oatmeal’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/Oatmeal/status/557338470301986816?s=09
Seattle’s sports enthusiasm is expressed uniquely.
Driving Frustrations
Oh, commuting joys! On my way home from the office, this clown tailgates me (in the left lane, passing a semi), then jets over two lanes, nearly hits said semi, tailgates someone in that lane, nearly hits them, jets over to the lane to my right, tailgates again, comes near inches from hitting them, ends up behind me again, blasts around me, cuts over to the far right lane, races past all those cars, cuts back to my lane, nearly hits me but finally has open enough road to keep on going. What particularly chafed me, beyond the sociopathic automotive antics, was that the car-pool lane was wide open. WIDE OPEN! So, it’s preferable to risk a vehicular assault or manslaughter charge over a single occupant in the car-pool lane ticket. Idiots!
So, if you know someone who was driving a blue Toyota pickup truck like an over-stimulated Cro-Magnon on I5 south through Everett around 5:20 pm, whap them in the head, please.
New Year’s Weekend
It was a pretty calm weekend. Didn’t even hit the gym much, but that wasn’t too bad. Was feeling worn out, so clearly needed rest.
Did make it to REI’s garage sale, scoring some great gear at killer prices. But not much, as the past month had been had a heap of extra expense. In particular, found a bike jacket that I’m tempted to wear everywhere. I have no qualm with uber-bike-nerd status.
Makes me look forward to riding in 2015. I plan on greatly increasing my mileage this year. I’ll map out a more specific goal soon. I also want to ride a few organized rides. I haven’t thought it through much deeper than that. Now, just wondering if I’ll hit the Chilly Hilly next month.
Also looking forward to the year’sSeattle Bike Expo. Centurylink field should provide a nice, more easily accessible venue. Parking shall be a hoot, but us cyclists, especially the hardcore, will be fine. Plenty of bike racks, I’m sure.
There are a few other outside goals I’m entertaining. Getting some good hikes in really excites me. Ice Caves again, perhaps another trip up to Lake 22, but only looking at day hikes right now. These will be summer based. At least good weather focused.
So, 2015 week be an outside-centric year. How more awesome can you get! See you outside!
Lynnwood’s Corner of 195th & 36th
I’ve noticed that the old Manor Hardware building has been fenced in for some time. It’s been dilapidated and decaying for some time, so the thought of something happening here pleases me. This spot does hold some significant history for good ol’ Lynnwood. Built in 1915, it harkens back to the Alderwood Manor/Pre-Lynnwood days. I didn’t see any public notifications for this property, but that doesn’t mean nothing is in the works. There is a lot happening in that area right now, so I expect something might get leveraged. This is part of the historic record, which will make any work challenging.
While looking into this, I found that there’s going to be a significant new apartment building going in on the old Edmonds School District office space (across from the Convention Center). The size of this really amazes me. It will be a nice location, though. That area should be able to absorb the additional traffic pretty well.
Drone Footage of the Edmonds Ferry Dock
I stumbled upon this drone video of the Edmonds ferry and thought it monumentally cool. For what that’s worth. I’m sure this is probably some kind of federal crime, but that really doesn’t change how I feel.
This made me think it would be great to have an Edmonds playlist on YouTube. So, here you go.
Christmas In Edmonds
Our Christmas was blessedly calm. Slept in, opened presents, made some breakfast, played with the new gear, then went down to one of our favorite spots: the Edmonds waterfront. A low-key day, which is particularly nice right now, providing a nice counter-balance to our lives. It’s been rather zany this December.
It was fun running into Thayer of Just Frogs (and Toads Too), and helping her decorate the Olympic Sculptures.
After these chaps were decorated, we had many folks stop by to be photographed with them. I delight in chatting with the wide variety of folks walking the boardwalk.
This slideshow features the highlights of our day.
Sunsets along the Sound are always lovely. Always a wonderful way to spend the evening. Though it was time for hot-cocoa afterwards.
I hope your holiday was just as lovely.
Random Christmas thought
Christmas may be for children, but Christmas shopping is for the nearly insane. Well, people were well behaved. Except for the guy who honked at me because I was unwilling to pull in front of moving traffic. Meh, Merry Christmas to you, too, cranky pants.